Corn Laws

The Corn Laws were measures enacted by the British Parliament from 1815 to 1846, imposing tariffs on imported grain. The Parliament's goal was to keep import prices high in order to favor domestic producers, but it also raised food prices; this meant that British citizens had less disposable income, which negatively effected the manufacturing industry. Even when food supplies were short, it was incredibly expensive to import grain, leading to starvation; in Ireland, the Great Famine of 1845-1852 left around 1,000,000 people dead. The first two years of the famine forced a resolution to the Corn Laws debate, as there was an urgent need for new food supplies. Conservative Prime Minister Robert Peel worked together with the Whigs to repeal the laws, overcoming opposition within his own party. The repeal of the Corn Laws was voted into law on 15 May 1846 with 327 votes to 229, a majority of 98 votes. The event marked the rise of free trade in the United Kingdom and the decline of protectionism.